Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: March 23, 2026, 9:30 PM ET

Venture Capital & Fund Launches

Despite a general slowdown in US startup funding during March, which was largely attributed to fewer mega-sized artificial intelligence rounds closing, specialized segments of venture capital are showing intense activity and deep pockets. In Europe, London's Air Street Capital successfully closed a substantial Fund III, securing $232 million earmarked for backing early-stage AI companies across Europe and North America, positioning the firm as one of the continent's largest solo VCs. Meanwhile, the burgeoning predictions market sector attracted unique backing, as CEOs from rival platforms Kalshi and Polymarket jointly supported the launch of a new $35 million venture fund, 5(c) Capital, to invest in startups within that category.

Dealmaking & Secondaries

Activity in private equity buyouts continued in defensive sectors, with Arlington Capital agreeing to acquire Eptec Defence, a specialist provider of naval and defense preservation services, signaling continued appetite for government contracting assets. On the exit side, institutional investors are actively seeking liquidity, evidenced by the University of California initiating a process to shop a significant $3 billion portfolio of limited partner interests in the secondary market, marking the latest major move by a large pension system to divest mature assets.